How to pronounce libretto
Say it like lih-BRET-oh. Libretto has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (BRET).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce libretto. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- lih
- BRET
- oh
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Libretto pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- lihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- BRETSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- ohKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "o" in go.
American vs British pronunciation of libretto
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: lih-BRET-oh.
What does libretto mean?
- The text of a dramatic musical work, such as an opera.
- A book containing such a text.
Where does libretto come from?
From Italian libretto, diminutive of libro (“book”), from Latin liber (“book”).
Words that rhyme with libretto
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of libretto.
Questions about saying libretto
How do you pronounce libretto?
Say lih-BRET-oh. The American pronunciation is /lɪˈbrɛtoʊ/. In British English it is /lɪˈbrɛtəʊ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in libretto?
Libretto has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (BRET). Broken into parts: lih · BRET · oh.
Is libretto pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh". The British form is /lɪˈbrɛtəʊ/ (lih-BRET-oh).